VocalEssence announces 40th season

by John Birge, Minnesota Public Radio

The Twin Cities choral group VocalEssence will celebrate its 40th anniversary season in 2008-09 with a tour of England and a collaboration with six of the Twin Cities' most prestigious professional and community choirs.

St. Paul, Minn. — VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle says the 500 voices of his group and the six choirs will sing a newly commissioned work by Dominick Argento.

"There's an amazing vitality about choral music in this community," Brunelle says. "It's not just VocalEssence. There are many other choral groups with their own identity in the Twin Cities and we've never sung together before."

The season kicks off with a 40th birthday party at Orchestra Hall hosted by Garrison Keillor. Jazz pianist Billy Taylor returns in February for a performance of his composition, "Peaceful Warrior," dedicated to Martin Luther King. And VocalEssence will perform the music of popular choral composer Eric Whitacre in March.

Philip Brunelle spoke with Minnesota Public Radio John Birge about the upcoming VocalEssence season.